Getting a Tarot Reading (Planning & Expectations)

When you are at a crossroads or feeling stuck, getting a tarot reading can help you find the clarity you need. Tarot readings are fun but should not be taken lightly.

A good tarot reading can change your life. But a tarot reading from an unskilled reader or a con artist can cause confusion, chaos, and frustration.

Plan to get the most out of your tarot reading. Communication and reasonable expectations are crucial.

Do Your Homework

If you’ve seen tarot readings in the movies or heard from a friend who had a fantastic tarot reading, you may have certain expectations. Rather than making assumptions, do your homework. Learn about tarot readings and their pros and cons.

Research different types of tarot readings. Become familiar with tarot ethics so you can understand a tarot reader’s limitations. Understanding ethics can help you avoid red flags when selecting a tarot reader.

Consider why you want a tarot reading. Are you looking for guidance? Or do you expect a tarot reader to solve all your problems? Are you ready to hear the news you weren’t expecting?

Learn when not to read tarot cards. If you aren’t feeling mentally prepared to hear the news that doesn’t reinforce your expectations, it is not the right time for a tarot reading.

Are you seeking a tarot reading for empowerment? Or to avoid making significant decisions? Approach a tarot reading with reasonable expectations and willingness to hear unexpected messages.

Get a glimpse of the future with a tarot reading!

Choose a Reader

Choosing a tarot reader is like choosing a therapist. Find someone reputable with whom you click. You may find a talented tarot reader but not resonate with their style.

Tarot readers are eclectic. Some play up the mystical elements of their occult interests. Other tarot readers dress in business attire and work in an office. Some are accessible online; others come to your home.

Part of doing your homework involves learning about a tarot reader before scheduling a reading. One of the best ways to find a tarot reader is through word-of-mouth recommendations.

If a friend is impressed with their tarot reading, they will be eager to tell you and encourage you to schedule a tarot reading. But if you don’t have a referral from a friend, you can find a tarot card reader online.

Read your tarot professional’s biography online. How much experience do they have? Do they have a specialty topic? Some tarot readers specialize in romance and relationships. Others specialize in past-life healing.

You have many options to choose from so take your time. Read reviews of tarot professionals. A professional who doesn’t have any reviews may be new or may indicate a red flag.

Look for signs of credibility. Some tarot professionals are certified, though this is not required. You may meet a tarot reader at a festival. Getting a tarot reading for free or a brief sample reading gives you a feel for a reader’s style.

Some tarot readers are too busy to offer free sample readings. This is not a bad sign. Another way to get a sense of their ethics and style is to read their blog or read about them in trade publications.

Tarot, Psychic, or Both?

Not all tarot readers consider themselves psychic. Likewise, not all psychics use tarot cards. Some tarot readers derive messages from interpreting the cards. Other tarot readers receive messages from the cards and spirit guides.

A tarot reader’s biography should indicate some clues about their process. If you are looking for a psychic tarot reader, look for keywords like psychic, intuitive, medium, and spirit guides.

Don’t underestimate a tarot reader who is not psychic. You can still derive beneficial advice from a tarot reader who only uses card interpretations. Some people prefer this approach because of religious concerns.

Some people prefer psychic tarot readers because they can give more spiritual insight. You can find guidance about esoteric aspects of a topic from a psychic tarot reader.

Are you at a crossroads? A live tarot reading can help guide you.

Make an Appointment

If you are getting a tarot reading online, you may be able to get instant results. In most cases, you must make an appointment. If you seek a professional tarot reading, expect to schedule a session.

Depending on how busy your tarot reader is, you may have to wait a day to a week or more. Scheduling a tarot reading is no different than scheduling a therapy or other holistic care appointment.

Some tarot readers use software that allows you to schedule online. Other tarot readers require you to reach out by phone or email. Communicate your interest and availability.

Agree on Compensation

If you seek a free tarot reading, look for people offering this specifically. Never assume a tarot reader is providing their services for free. If their rate is not advertised, ask before scheduling an appointment.

Agree on compensation amount and length of reading. Some tarot readers charge a flat fee. Others charge per minute. If a tarot reader charges different rates for different lengths of time it can be a red flag.

For example, a tarot reader who charges one dollar per minute for the first five minutes and then jumps to five dollars per minute for the remaining minutes may use delay tactics to ensure a higher rate.

Unless you have worked with a tarot reader before, it’s best to look for a flat fee so you know how much your session costs with no guesswork. Be clear about how and when payment is expected.

If you agree on a free tarot reading, a ten-card spread is unlikely. A free tarot reading usually involves a one-card interpretation or three-card readings as a sample.

Choose a tarot specialist and get a reading right now!

Prepare Questions

If you have specific questions you want to address, take time to make a list of these topics and questions. You may become overwhelmed by your first tarot reading and forget key questions you wanted to ask.

This step is especially crucial if you have questions about a variety of topics. Your tarot reading may focus on one or two topics and you may forget about unrelated questions.

Communicate with your tarot reader. Some tarot readers want questions upfront. Others prefer to work without any feedback from you, especially at the beginning of a session.

Keep an Open Mind

Approach your tarot reading with an open mind. It’s a good idea to have an agenda, but your tarot reading may go in a direction you didn’t expect. Psychic tarot readings are most likely to include information you weren’t expecting.

Tarot readings are like advice from any other source. You can follow the advice you receive or take it with a grain of salt. Keep your mind open to advise you receive but you ultimately can take or leave the guidance.

You may be surprised to learn some aspects of your future or subconscious mind. The tarot reading can enlighten or shock you. Some tarot readings validate everything you suspected. Other times a reading challenges your expectations.

Are you at a crossroads? A tarot reading can help guide you.

Ask Clarifying Questions

During the tarot reading, be sure to ask questions if you don’t understand what your tarot reader is describing. A tarot reading doesn’t serve you if you are unclear about the messages.

You may feel confused because a future event is unexpected and doesn’t resonate. There is a difference between not understanding a message and not being able to guess how it fits in with present information.

Ask questions to clarify information rather than guessing. Avoid making assumptions. You may not understand how an event will happen because it is in the future.

Don’t Interrupt

Before your tarot reading starts, find out when you will be able to ask questions. Although it is important to ask for clarifying information, interrupting can derail your tarot reading.

Avoid interrupting a tarot reader. Bring a pen and paper so you can take notes and make notes of your questions or issues you want to clarify. Don’t interrupt your tarot reading to ask questions.

You may feel like your tarot reader needs background information for context. Most tarot readers prefer not to have this information as it can create assumptions and biases. Avoid giving background information.

Get a glimpse of the future with a psychic reading!

Have a Goal

You may have a list of questions or just want general advice. No matter your situation, approach your tarot reading with a goal in mind. Your goal may be clarity, empowerment, focus, or acceptance.

You can’t control the information you receive in a tarot reading. Yet you can take charge by having a goal. Your tarot reading should have some kind of focal point.

How will you know if your tarot reading has fulfilled your needs? What do you want to feel, know, or understand when the tarot reading is over? Keep your mind open yet have a goal for your session.

Communicate Clearly

One of the best things you can do during your tarot session is to communicate clearly. This doesn’t mean you must give excessive information. Avoid extraneous details.

Explain your goal and expectations for the reading. Be open to feedback from your tarot reader. If they can’t fulfill your expectations a good tarot reader will explain why and offer alternatives.

Be assertive about your needs. This includes being clear about your time and money investment in the reading. A tarot reader should respect your time and vice versa.

Are you at a crossroads? A psychic reading can help guide you.

Avoid Red Flags

The more you understand tarot readings, the easier you can spot red flags to avoid. Avoid tarot readers who overpromise. No one can guarantee to tell you what you want to hear.

Avoid a tarot reader who asks more questions than they answer. If someone is fishing for information, they may be a con artist. Your tarot reader should be the one doing most of the talking, not you.

A tarot reader who promises to bring back an ex or fix all of your problems through spells for an exorbitant fee may be a grifter. Tarot readings bring insight but are not a guarantee of solving all your problems.

A tarot reader who predicts negative events with no information about problem-solving or who is disempowering but does not offer any supportive guidance is also showing red flags.

If a professional offers you a free love tarot reading and then tries to charge you a fee to fix what they claim is wrong with your love life, this can be a red flag. The person may be sincere, but often this is part of a scam.

If they offer a seven-card tarot reading to free you from a curse, this can also be a warning sign. While belief in curses is part of some peoples’ religious beliefs, common scams also involve using tarot as a segway to getting people to pay for esoteric services.

Tarot Reading Styles

There are many styles of tarot reading. Some tarot readers are professional and emulate coaches rather than mystics. Others flaunt their connection to the occult and appear eccentric.

Some tarot readers combine tarot with astrology, numerology, runes, and other tools. Other tarot readers strictly use tarot cards and nothing else.

You may find tarot readers who channel spirits and others who fit into a corporate boardroom. Some tarot readers work with couples and groups. Others prefer to meet with clients individually.

Some tarot readers work through email and video chats. Others prefer to read tarot in person. Some offer tarot readings online through a platform with other psychics.

You may find a tarot reader who offers a free three-card tarot reading. This is a good way to sample a tarot reader’s style. Yet you can also learn more about a tarot reader’s style of reading by viewing their website.

Most tarot readers are transparent about their style. Tough love tarot readers differ from gentle, empathetic tarot professionals. Some tarot readers are entertaining and funny. Others are somber.